Iran Frees Two Held Over Alleged BBC Ties

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's semi-official Fars news agency says two filmmakers arrested last month over their alleged links to BBC's Farsi-language service have been released.

Fars said Monday that Nasser Saffarian and Mohsen Shahrnaz had been freed, without providing further details.

The agency did not say if four other independent filmmakers detained on the same charges – providing the British Broadcasting Corp. with video and news reports perceived as damaging to Iran – would also be released.

Tehran has accused the BBC of operating as a cover for British intelligence and of seeking to harm Iran by hosting Iranian dissidents.